Category: mtbos

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True Confessions

True confession #1: Twitter changed my life.

That may sound strange, considering the following:

  • I generally hate social media.
  • I joined that Facebook thing all you kids talk about all the time, then decided it was a waste and deleted my account.
  • When I first heard about Twitter, I thought, “Who cares what Bieber had for breakfast?!”
  • I didn’t start texting until 2009. When I was 27. I know, I know! Crazy, right?
  • I like complete sentences, decent grammar, and punctuation.

But literally, Twitter changed my life.

Somewhere around the beginning of 2013, I started using Twitter to connect with other math teachers. I ended up in this crazy-wonderful community that calls itself the mathtwitterblogosphere (MTBoS, for short). I’ve always had amazing colleagues at my small school, but usually on the order or one or (if I was lucky) two other math teachers across the entire JH and HS staff.

When I hopped on Twitter, I suddenly found myself in a community of dozens (rather, hundreds) of folks who were as nerdy and weird and interested in getting better at this teaching thing as I was. I loved it. I still do.

In fact, I’m pretty well convinced that jumping into this community (whether by starting a blog, getting more active on Twitter, or both) is among the best ways to supercharge your teaching, whether we’re talking skills or passion or enjoyment.

Anyway, that’s my rambling attempt to convince you that you should consider jumping into this mix of mathy folks.

And thanks to some amazing MTBoS folks, there’s a pretty sweet guide to getting started right here:

https://exploremtbos.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/a-new-exploration/

So whether you’re brand new to the MTBoS, a dabbler who wants to dive a bit deeper, or a grizzled veteran looking to help others with their first steps, give that link a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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Why Twitter?

Earlier this week, as part of a larger workshop on mathematics and technology, I gave an introduction to Twitter as a digital collaboration playground for educators. I wanted to give my “pitch” using more than my own words, so the night before I posted this:

https://twitter.com/mjfenton/status/620445174125064194

I found the responses both inspiring, and a refreshing reminder of why I love spending time in this space. I thought I’d share the responses here, either to encourage you with a reminder of why you spend time here as well, or in an effort to draw you into the fun.

Enjoy:

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Everybody and their Mother Loves the MTBoS

That post title may be a bit of a stretch. But I know this much is true: I love the mathtwitterblogosphere, and I know my mother thinks it’s pretty swell also.

A little background… My mom teachers middle school math, just a few miles from where I do. When I started out teaching, she was my go-to resource for teaching questions (especially classroom management). I’ve often been a resource for her regarding conceptual development or activity ideas for a current or upcoming topic.

Here’s what she sent me last night at the end of an email:

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Lacking any particular inspiration, I directed her to Robert Kaplinsky’s PrBL Search Engine, and then hopped on Twitter:

The response? Pam Wilson to the rescue!

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In particular, this seemed like a really cool idea:

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So what happened the next morning? This!

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Now that’s a pretty cool Professional Learning Community/Family.

P.S. Here’s a glimpse at the handout my mom created.

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P.P.S. And her thoughts on the lesson, including what she’ll tweak for next year:

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